GPS Technology Reviews for news, guides and reviews of GPS hardware, software and services including Handheld GPS, Outdoor GPS, GPS PDA, GPS Phones and Auto GPS Navigators

The Garmin 3.5 inch touch screen 205 and 255 and the 4.3 inch screen 205 W and 255W are what Garmin refer to as their 2×5 model auto GPS navigators. All have improved features over earlier models including improved mapping and routing features, faster satellite acquisition (HotFix), navigation by photos, FM traffic updates and dynamic content from MSN Direct. With these models Gamin has included higher end features in what is an entry level auto GPS series.

Garmin Nuvi 2×5 Model Differences

Specifications for the Garmin Nuvi 255 and 255W and the Garmin Nuvi 205 and 205W are identical apart from the W suffix models having the larger widescreen and accepting SD cards as opposed to miniSD cards.
(read more..)

GPS navigation device manufacturers know that a quick time to first fix is a selling point with consumers. Running predictive calculations of satellite positions while the GPS navigator is off is one way to speed up the time taken to establish a lock on a few GPS satellites so that navigation can begin is to. It works by giving the restarted GPS device a head start by knowing where to start looking for GPS satellites. Time saved with this technique makes possible warm start ups taking as little as 3.5 seconds.

Starting with the Nuvi 205 of the Nuvi 2×5 models, Garmin has based their product on STMicroelectronics’ Teseo GPS engine. As the result of collaboration with Rx Networks, their GPStream PGPS product is included. It enables the behaviour of GPS satellites to be modelled based on broadcast ephemeris readings for accurate prediction of satellite positions up to 5 days ahead. A single broadcast ephemeris reading allows the accurate prediction of satellite orbits which are developed and refined every time new broadcast ephemeris is obtained.

A useful, convenient feature available with Google Maps and Mapquest allows you to download a location you’ve found (GPS coordinates and address) directly to your TomTom or Garmin GPS navigator.

Sending an Address from Google Maps to Your TomTom GPS Navigator

With TomTom home running and your TomTom navigator connected to your PC, search for and find your desired location. You then click on the send link bringing up a popup Send to web form. To finish you pick the GPS link and TomTom from the Brand dropdown box and click send. The address will be transferred to your TomTom navigator and saved as a favourite. It’s that simple!

Harman Kardon’s GPS-310, GPS-510 and GPS-810 all have a compact form factor for use in the car or out. The models have clean lines with no buttons on the front face as all inputs are through the touch screen. The 4 inch LCD touch screen (4.3 inches on the GPS-810) is WQVGA (480×272 pixels) which is a popular size for portable media players. This makes sense as these Harman Kardon GPS navigators have significant portable media player capabilities.

Navigation with Harman Kardon GPS

The navigation map screen can be viewed in 2D mode with the route displayed from top to bottom of the screen, 2D North mode with North at the top of the screen or 3D mode with a three dimensional map displayed with the route from the top to the bottom of the screen. It’s possible to zoom in and out from the displayed map.
(read more..)

Because there are lots of differing reasons for people to purchase GPS navigator for their car, there is a matching wide variety of features and functionalities available. Following is an exploration and explanation of some of the common ones you will need to consider.

GPS Receiver

Probably the most common GPS receiver included in automotive GPS navigators at the moment is the SiRF Star III chipset. The SiRF Star III family was a watershed development in GPS chip architecture for GPS manufacturers and provides excellent fix times, excellent sensitivity for gaining a lock even in weak GPS signal areas such as urban jungles or densely forested areas. SiRF now also provide SiRFDiRect technology which provides accurate positioning even when a GPS satellite lock cannot be maintained (eg. in a tunnel). SiRFDiRect works through the utilization of miniature heading and acceleration sensors to provide dead reckoning data.

Consumers will likely hear more of Texas Instruments new NaviLink 5.0 which has a very small 25 mm x 25 mm footprint and performance similar to a SiRF III.
(read more..)

The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy have reported that one in three pets is lost during its lifetime. As their figures also show only a 10 chance of return, it’s likely that the Zoombak ZMBK200 Advanced GPS Dog Locator is an investment that will pay off.

The Zoombak GPS Dog Locator continuously determines your dogs location and actively broadcasts its position so that you can recover it quickly before it comes to harm. Also speeding the recovery time is the automated warning that your pet has strayed outside the safe area you have nominate for them. You will know your dog is straying into to danger without having to keep a constant eye on them.
(read more..)

Pharos Trips & Pics is a combined package of a GPS receiver/logger and geo-logging software which enables consumers to record their trips and photo locations and display them on a map. Trips & Pics will work with any digital camera so there are no compatibility problems. You just need to carry the GPS unit with your camera. As well a being useful for travellers, Pharos Trips & Pics can be a useful tool when hiking, biking or camping. Potential professional applications are also numerous and could include law enforcement, news photography, geological surveying, real estate and wildlife management.

The Trips & Pics hardware is a Pharos’ iGPS-500 receiver and battery unit combination that easily slips into a pocket. GPS data logging intervals can be varied from one second up to five minutes. There is also an off-switch for power conservation if you are stationary or not taking pictures. The unit charges quickly and battery life is about 24 hours. Data can be logged for between 1 ¼ and 45 days depending on the pattern of use. Data logged allows the software package to provide a record of time, location, heading and speed.
(read more..)

Pharos Drive GPS 150 and 250 portable navigation devices have picked up a few fans with the 150 being selected in Amazon’s Best of 2007 Editors GPS Picks and the Drive 250 being selected in a recent PC World Top GPS Devices list (3rd of 5). While both portable GPS navigators have the same navigation capabilities, they are differentiated by the TFT LCD touch screen size (4.3 inches for the 250 and 3.5 inches for the 150). The Pharos Drive GPS 150 model is available in three colors; black, blue and pink.

Both devices are excellent value for money including some high end features for the price including a sensitive SiRF StarIII GPS receiver (embedded antenna) and text-to-speech. The rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery is excellent value providing up to seven hours of continuous operation. Missing are a media player, Bluetooth for hands-free operation and real-time traffic update options.
(read more..)

The Garmin 7200 and 7500 StreetPilots have identical features apart from the 7500 including dead reckoning capabilities for when a GPS signal is not available. Both models are available in North American and European versions (different maps) while the 7200 has an Australian version. The 7200 or 7500 StreetPilots are preloaded in internal memory with City Navigator NT for North America or Europe with full cover Australian maps available for that version. Both models have high end features and prices to match. Not only are navigation features covered comprehensively but also entertainment/multimedia features.

The large, 7 inch, widescreen, WQVGA (480 x 234 pixels) touch screen display is the distinctive feature of the StreetPilot 7200 and 7500. The size comes from Garmin designing these StreetPilot models for use in large vehicles where there is a greater distance from the driver to the navigation screen. It should be noted that the screen has an auto dimming backlight to adjust to different ambient light conditions.
(read more..)

NAVIGON is working to build a reputation for affordable yet, top feature packed GPS navigators. It’s rapid grab of market share and quick population of bestseller lists since its entry into the personal navigation market nine months ago are evidence that consumers agree with it’s focus. In March, NPD Group reported that their Retail Tracking Service was showing that NAVIGON had achieved an 11.5 percent (unit volume share) and fourth position in the personal navigation category. Picking up awards at the recent 2008 International CES for the NAVIGON 5100, NAVIGON 2100 and NAVIGON 7100 has certainly helped boost of NAVIGON’s range.

The NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max have a slim, stylish piano black casings and a wide, 4.3 inch, anti-glare, color, touchscreen display (WQVGA, 480×272 pixels). NAVIGON have used a Nemerix NX3 GPS receiver in their NAVIGON 2100 max models. Either a USB 1.1 drive or an SD memory card can be used to load data. The LiPo/LiIon battery will power operation for up to 3 hours depending on what features are being used. The only difference in specification between the NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max models is the maps they are boxed with. The 2100 max comes with maps of the continental U.S. while the NAVIGON 2120 max has the continental U.S. and Canada.
(read more..)